Sectionals

Went to two sectional games last week and just going to do a quick write up of each game just some of my thoughts and top players.

Kenosha Indian Trail over Madison Memorial 
I really didn't know anything about Indian Trail but, thought for sure that Memorial would beat them as Memorial just seemed poised to make a state run behind 5'10 senior Shareef Smith. My thoughts weren't the case though as Indian Trail shot the lights out and it seemed every player of their team could shoot the ball and Memorial couldn't really play their chaotic defense because they would always leave a guy open who would be able to convert  the shot. Memorial doesn't play great man to man defense but, plays good team defense so they had a hard time chasing 6'3 senior Perion Little all over the court. Little was unbelievable all night long knocking threes down with a very quick release and making shots with defenders in his face. For Memorial Shareef Smith never could really get going but, fellow senior 6'0 Koko Songolo had a big night but, sometimes he just wasn't quick enough to get to the rim. This game was pretty even throughout but, I just had this feeling that Memorial was going to pull it out. This game was really a good battle and just when it seemed one team was going to get the momentum the other team would claw back. A steal in the fourth by 6'3 Henry Houden that resulted in a dunk and put Memorial down one seemed like the clincher to give Memorial the momentum was dashed away when a minute later 6'0 senior Andre Brown threw down a huge dunk. Memorial was down three with five seconds left and it seemed to be Smith time but, tonight wasn't Smith's night as the shot bounced off the back of the rim.

Mineral Point over Melrose-Mindoro
This game was a real battle back and forth and could of gone either way at the end. MM had a much bigger team and seemed to dominate the glass but, MP was the quicker team and more disciplined team. Not sure if disciplined is right word but, they new their strengths and really stuck to their game plan. Early on for Mineral Point it was 6'4 senior Tarek Oellerich that carried them and in the second half it was 6'1 senior Alec Schmitz that got going from the outside. These two were the big scorers while 6'0 senior point guard Sy Staver was just solid throughout controlling the team and Staver was able to drive the lane and finish with some nice scoop shots. For Melrose-Mindoro it was junior Aaron Scafe and senior Derek Antony. Didn't have heights so not sure but, believe Antony was 6'6 and Scafe maybe 6'4? not completely sure. Scafe was able to fake the outside shot and get to the middle of the 1-3-1 zone and knock down the mid range shots. Antony did most of his damage of the offensive glass and dishes from Scafe and point guard sophomore Erik Christopherson. Melrose was hindered by foul trouble early on and in the second half things seemed to even out and the calls seemed to be going against Mineral Point then. MM had the chance to hit the game winner at the end but, they couldn't get the shot they wanted and Antony had to force one from the corner.

Indian Trails went on to lose to Madison East by 20+ after Memorial had beaten East by 30 in their last game so it's like go figure. Maybe Indial Trail was hotter then normal against Memorial or maybe they were colder then normal against East. For Mineral Point they are a very good team, run their stuff, and guessing a pretty good coach and guessing they'll beat Auburndale but, would have a very very tough time against Dominican. Point is just too small and not quick enough in my opinion.